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Whether it is lavender, violet or mauve, purple is still in
season and there’s plenty of it to go around. While at times it can be
considered a royal shade that could raise you to another style level, purple is
still as elegant as it can get.

When adding pops of colors to your outfit, it is best to do
it small amounts. Hence wear it in moderation. Purple is a strong statement
color that wearing too much all at once can be overwhelming unless paired with
the right accessories. Next, choose the right hue of purple to match the
season. Darker shades are more suitable for the winter, while a lighter or
brighter purple is great for the warmer months. Color blocking is a great option. So be creative and mix it
up.

These days even the common or garden variety landline is a pretty
outdated mode of communication. Yet who can forget the sheer awe inspired by
first spotting a ‘young urban professional’, or yuppie, wielding that novel,
hefty and horrendously pricey piece of technology – the mobile telephone.

Those seem far distant days, but much can happen in 30 years,
particularly in terms of technological progress. Although some methods of
communication seem to be a constant, their popularity does fade when outshone
by glitzy gadgets.

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

While mailing letters or sending telegrams may still be a useful
method of communication, it tends to be for the purpose of business
correspondence rather than social interaction. Again, the employment of a
messenger or carrier tends to be more typical of corporate contact, yet in this
day and age we’re talking about messengers mounted on motorbikes, not noble
steeds. Equally, pigeon-post tends to be the preserve of enthusiasts and revivalists.

Indigenous Australians used a message stick which was often carried
hundreds of kilometres by a mailman to deliver a message which could be
deciphered from the dots and angular lines etched onto its surface. It seems
the need for man to communicate has always been paramount.

This need may stem from practical matters or from the desire to interact
on a social level. Human beings are social creatures but the debate often rages
as to whether modern technology is eroding contact with our contemporaries.

The Digital Age

In a world where distance is no longer the disruptive element it
used to be, is there really a need to communicate electronically to the extent
that we do? How many people lament receiving an email from a colleague who sits
within spitting distance? Perhaps using technology to this extent is merely a
sign of our times and reflects that we don’t place much faith in the spoken
word beyond it being an indicator of suppressed sociability?

The Symbian smartphone with its accompanying Nokia accessories enables the user
to communicate simultaneously with an array of acquaintances. Yet do you feel
side-lined when your friend interrupts your face-to-face chat to constantly
check for messages from other mates?

On many levels being able to communicate with others in real time
whatever their location is an argument for our success as social creatures. Yet
can such technology ever achieve the levels of intimacy and expression afforded
by human contact?

This summer I have been trying my best to save money, however that does not limit me from 'online window' shopping if you know what I mean. I have been eyeing some of the following for quite some time now and am ready to make the investment! Personally, I rely on quality of products over quantity.

Ever had one of those mornings when you over slept and wake up realizing you only have twenty or even ten minutes to get ready? If you say no, you're probably lying or are extremely talented at actually waking up when your alarm goes off.

Well for the rest of us who have been in this situation more than once have realized that even if you're running low on time, you want to give the appearance that you are somewhat put together. Or well that's what I think.

So a solution to a quick morning beautification for a full-time college student would be to use products that you are familiar with, use few of them to achieve the best results and are relatively inexpensive depending on your preference or budget. When it comes to down to it, it takes me about five minutes to do my make up in the morning. My routine consists of six items along with an eye cream, but that's a whole other topic. The items I use basically make me look presentable and not like I just woke up. To save time, I quickly prime my face and even out my skin tone and will simply use my fingers to dab on some under eye concealer. Also to give a bit of color to my skin, I apply a cheek stain and a tinted lipgloss, followed by a bit of mascara.

Voila! Ready to head out!

Also it's a good idea to bring a small makeup bag with you to retouch during the day.

When it comes to 8h30am classes, I usually dread them. But when you wake up realizing you're alarm has not gone off, it can be a tad more stressful.

However the one exception or time that this does not happen is when first week of classes rolls around. You are an eager beaver. You would wake up for you morning classes with no trouble at all. You have all the time in the world to make your bed, straighten your hair, take a shower and eat a proper breakfast. But things change, I promise you that.

Sleep will be that one valuable aspect of life that you will be desperately wanting back and that extra five minutes in the morning has a whole new meaning.

After getting into the grove of things, waking up an hour before your morning class will be a thing of the past. Instead of staying up late hanging out with friends, you will be in a study group trying to cram for a test. What to do when you only have ten minutes to get ready and make it to class the next morning? Don't worry!

The one thing I always do before going to bed is to prep my tote with all the necessary things I need for the next day. As for clothes, I normally grab a pair of leggings and either a cozy creek sweater or a collared shirt and tie it at the front. Makeup? Under eye concealer, lipgloss and blush. Hair? High ponytail. Raining? Has to be the Hunters and a raincoat. Sunny? Definitely grabbing the moccasins and sunglasses. Breakfast? Granola bar and banana. All this combined comes up to eight minutes for me with two minutes to brush my teeth and wash my face initially.

When it comes to most university classes, many of them require you to present in front of your peers and professors during mid session or finals week. It is important to give a good impression and feel good in what you're wearing. In general, you'll want to keep your look professional, but still youthful.

The basic rule of thumb is to dress business casual with a stylish touch, you don't want to look dressy or stuffy. In terms of makeup and hair, keep it to a minimal and I suggest pulling you hair back as to avoid fidgeting and distractions. Lastly, when presenting it is a personal choice as to what footwear you choice. You must keep in mind that public speaking does require a tad bit of movement, hence if you are uncomfortable in heels, wear flats. I strongly encourage it. However, as I am short, I usually wear heels. But it's up to you!

As an engineering student, I have had my fair share of solo and group presentations. At Queen's, there are entire courses dedicated to learning professional engineering skills as well as communication skills. As they start in first year, you build your self confidence and by your fourth year, presentations are a breeze! When it comes to presentation attire, I tend to always include a touch of personality!

A new school year is right around the corner and a lot of people I know are going back to school shopping to spruce up their wardrobe. The fact that it is this time of year combined with requests from people, it leads me to write about outfits to wear while at school.

Having been at university for four years, I have had my fair share of noticing what people wear. I for one, am not a huge fan of wearing sweatpants to class or pyjama bottoms for that matter. However, there are those who chose to wear them and I honestly, feel sorry for them as they are embarrassing themselves. Every campus differs in terms of style and that apply's to Queen's. In the summer and fall, one is able to observe the uniqueness of student's style. Most importantly, we have learned to dress for the unexpected while staying stylish.

You must first know that the city of Kingston where Queen's is located is in between two major cities plus fashion hubs, Toronto and Montreal. Secondly, Queen's can get some pretty funky weather in the fall/winter (rain, snow, combination of both, welcome to Canada!) and getting to campus can be quite the trek when you live off campus. So once winter comes, things change.

With weather being the predominant decision factor followed by cost and comfort, the 'typical' Queen's girl will be sporting Hunters, Uggs, leggings, flannel shirts, Canada Goose jacket and a Longchamp bag. I will admit that I have worn some of these items and am not ashamed of it. So you may now understand why some of the above items are staples.

Once September approaches, the sun is out and students are excited to meet/impress other. But university is obviously about going to class, studying and getting good grades. So when putting together an outfit in the morning for class, dress primarily for yourself. Simply putting together a cute ensemble can make your day whatever your style is. Embrace it and be comfortable as well, that's my moto for class wear! Taking an extra five minutes in the morning is definitely worthwhile!

Here are a few outfits that I would most likely wear if I was going back to school. They consist of basic pieces paired with items that give the outfit a dash of 'sparkle'.

What girl does not love a bit of sparkle or even better a whole lot of it? I know I do! Whenever I have the chance, I most certainly never shy away from adding a dash of glitter to my outfit. You may think that glitter is only acceptable during the holiday season or reserved for formal events, but you have it completey wrong. Glitter fashion can be worn year round and create many interesting outfit possibilities. Simply remember just a little glitter goes a long way when paired with simple items, as it will accentuate and illuminate the shine! Note that it comes in all shapes and sizes; from heels, clutches, dresses and the list goes on. So don't be afraid to create an eye-catching ensemble with over the top pieces or keep in more elegant with small pieces.

If you haven't figured out by now, I have a love affair with Pinterest and this is where my curiosity for art decor was reignited. I have always been a creative person but also an artsy one who enjoys diy projects. This leads me to discuss the topic of gifts. I feel gifts mean so much more when another person has put their thought, time and effort creating them. Especially when it is given to a partner or significant other.

Initially, I had found an "I love you because.." frame, which is a neat idea and opportunity to leave your partner sweet messages expressing how much you love and appreciate one another when either in a hurry or amidst a chaotic morning. It is a simple project that adds a fun way to recognize the little things you love about someone.

However, knowing me I had to go a step future and find projects that would truly show your loved one how much you care. Projects that would remind you both of a celebration or a moment you enjoyed together. Hence "made with love" frames as I would call them.

I first stumbled upon these fabulous dresses while on Pinterest (obviously) and I am falling in love with the lavender and mint strapless maxi dress on the right. It has a cinched bust as well as two side pockets. Also not to mention the bold necklace it is paired with, is gorgeous and I would definitely like to get my hands on one.As for the maxi dresses, sometimes they can overwhelm petitie figures. For a fairly short person such as myself, you need to remember that they make a statement when worn. Hence, let the dress be the focus. Simply add some pieces of jewelry, some shoes and you're ready to go. On another note, be wise and careful with these dresses to avoid being swallowed up in fabric. Personally, I would stick to more basic and form fitting styles that accentuate my waist. My tip to you: Don't be afraid to try a maxi dress as they tend to look good on most figures.

Oy I cannot stand how adorable this pup is! I simply had to share this with you and make your day. I absolutely adore furry little animals (big as well). Whatever they may be, I will alway give them a lot of love. Even when they can be extremely sneaky, grabbing that last bite off your plate or acting all cute to get a treat from you. However, at the end of the day, they make us happy. They are extremely attentive and have an uncanny ability to predict what you will do as well as have the ability to be attuned to your emotional state. No wonder a dog is a "man's" best friend. But dogs are more than a best friend, especially when helping those who require crucial assistance. Ultimately, they literally become the eyes and ears of those facing disabilities. Having volunteered at a school for deaf and disabled children, I learnt first hand how some dogs as well as other animals aided and benefited individuals with their lives. They brought so much happiness, relief and overall joy.

With this being said, pups (as I call them) are true companions. When I do eventually move into my own (real) place and not student housing, a dog will definitely be on the list of things to get. It's name would either be Jacobian or Maxwell (yes for you math nerds, based on the matrix and equation).

After such a hot and humid weekend, it's nice to take pleasure at the end of it with some light refreshing meals, that don't require a lot of preparation. It's rather enjoyable to beat the summer heat and cool off. However, as the final stretch of summer dawns on us, why not try whipping up some fast, easy and savoury recipes. In other words, meals that allow you to turn the stove off, put away the pots and pans, and simply forget about cooking.After a long day of working, I instinctively turn to meals that are simple and require less effort, but are still delicious. When I am on my own, I usually do variations of mini tarts topped with veggies and goat cheese, smoked salmon on a french baguette or am not so creative and go for a homemade fruit salads along with a pasta dish. Most of these meals, take less than 20 minutes to make, thus allowing you to enjoy your evening with good friends.

This look is simple, classic and effortless, along with a pop of color. Initially, upon viewing this trend, I was somewhat curious and hesitant about such vividly colored bottoms. As the summer came around, I realized that this was indeed my summer staple. My most worn shorts are a coral hue pair from H&M and I adore them.

These types of bottom will definitely take center stage when worn out. It is best to combine them with tailored neutrals or be bold and have fun colour blocking. They are polished enough for the office or can be worn casually as well. Bottom's as such are flattering on most body shapes and are very versatile for day to day wear.

Organization is key in my life, whether it is at the workplace or at home.When the smallest thing is out of order, it immediately has to be put back in it's rightful place and if there is a mess, I will have a minor panic attack. Obsessive compulsive you may think? No no no.. I simply like order. My motto is less is more. At times I would call myself a perfectionist but organization and perfectionism play separate roles. Being organized in the workplace, means designing your office to be functional so that you don't have to recreate a workspace each time you are ready to start working. It means having a functional system for scheduling meetings, planning each day and the basics, keeping things tidy and knowing where things are. Personally, I do not enjoy clutter whatsoever and clean spaces make me happy.

This goes for living space as well. The picture below illustrates how I would efficiently store and place things. According to size and color as well as objects being symmetrical. This is visually pleasing to me. I love color coding. I rather enjoy it when everything has a place and even better when everything is in its place. Organizing is easy for me because it makes perfect sense. Doesn't it? It saves time, money and sanity! Hence no more looking for your missing keys, buying another item because you can't seem to find the one you bought and screaming at others to help you look. While organizing may not come easily to some, I am a firm believer that the outside is a reflection of the inside. It simply makes you a happier person. However, the harsh reality is that, even the most organized person may not have their life together.

[name=Rosalyn Gambhir]
[img=http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/Rosalyn_Gambhir/Rosalyn_1.jpg]
[description=Rosalyn Gambhir is the gal behind the blog The Staycationer. Whether its exploring the local food scene with her foodie partner-in-crime or taking in the view from her favourite cafe, Rosalyn is always a tourist, looking for the next exciting adventure. The Staycationer allows you to rediscover hidden gems in your very own backyard.]
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About Me

Meet Rosalyn

Welcome to The Staycationer where I play tourist and am always on the look out for the next exciting adventure to share.